April Full Moon 2023 - Reflecting on relationships!

Hello Moonchild :)

From the last Dark Moon leading up to this Full Moon, my focus has been on the key relationships in my life - all the people I identify as 'home'. Not surprising considering, this luminous Moon falls in the sign of Libra and spotlights relationships and aspects therein - harmony, intimacy, communication, trust, understanding, unconditional love, resilience, openness, belief, respect, gratitude and more. It is important here to remember that a lot of this is a reflection of one's relationship with the self.

In an Indian context, I'd like to draw attention to this Chaitra Purnima* that is also observed as Hanuman Jayanti. We celebrate the birth of one of the central characters in the epic of Ramayana - Hanuman, known for his qualities of loyalty, courage, selflessness, perseverance and strength. Contemplate on how these beautiful qualities play out in our relationships? :)

The invitation for this Full moon is to reflect on a relationship in your life - from a healing, resolving, or honouring perspective. The nudge is also to look inwards at your present relationship with yourself which very likely is showing up in the dance of your relationship with others.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Set aside about an hour ideally after Moonrise.

(To know Moonrise timings, I use the My Moon Phase app)

Choose to do the practice in view of the Full Moon if the weather permits.

You will need a mat, your journal and a pen.

Step 1

Body Movement

- Go through a gentle movement practice that focuses on hip and heart opening. Add poses that aid release for your body.

Step 2

Moonbathing

- Sit down, close eyes and feel a deep connect with Mother Earth.

- Open your eyes, gently gaze at the Moon for a while.

- Close your eyes and retain the image of this luminous Moon in your eyebrow centre.

- With every inhale visualize the healing white light flowing from your eyebrow centre into your body, filling it up gradually. With every exhale, visualize this white light clearing all blocks, anything that does not serve you anymore. Do this for 3 breaths.

- Then open your eyes, gaze at the moon again and repeat the practice.

- Do this 7 times

(If the Moon is not visible, simply close eyes and visualize it in your eyebrow centre and do the same practice)

If you love chanting, you can also do the ‘Om Som Somaiyah Namah’ chant 7 times.

Step 3

Journaling to spotlight a relationship

Write down the following questions and answer them. Note that these need not necessarily be relationships that need resolution, could also be a connection that needs to be celebrated :)

Which relationship of mine is coming up for reflection now?

Write down two recent incidents that were significant in the context of this relationship.

What were my feelings, emotions and responses during these incidents?

Why did I feel or respond the way I did? (explore your own wounding here if that is contributing to your emotions and actions)

Read this after writing. Add on if something further occurs to you.

Step 4

Humming breath in the Heart

Sit with eyes closed. Place your palms on the heart. Take a deep breath in and as you exhale, gently make a humming sound for the length of the exhale with a gentle smile on your face. Feel the vibrations of this hum coursing through you. Repeat this 14 times.

Step 5

Exploring action points

Bring back the image of the Full Moon in your eyebrow centre for a few breaths.

Re-read what you wrote down.

Now write down the following words on a new sheet

Harmony, intimacy, communication, trust, understanding, unconditional love, self-love, resilience, openness, belief, respect, gratitude, loyalty, courage, selflessness, perseverance, strength

Answer one of these questions depending on what resonates with you:

What shifts can I make within myself and with the other person/s to enhance the relationship?

or

What would be possible next steps for me towards self preservation?

or

How do I acknowledge, honour and celebrate this relationship?

You can refer to the words above to guide this writing practice if that helps.

Read these action points, close your eyes and make a promise to yourself to bring them to life. Remind yourself to read them every morning soon after waking up and every night just before you sleep.

The recommendation is to repeat the whole practice again the next day to gain better clarity.

Wish you a lovely Full Moon practice!

Hugs, love & gratitude

Sheetal

*Full Moon in the month of Chaitra